Folding crate



Aug. 28, 1928,

F. MORROGH FOLDING CRATE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 27, 1926 Patented Aug. 28, 1928.

UNITED STATES FRANK ,XOiRBOGH, OF ARN-AUDVILLE, LOUISIANA.

FOLDING CRATE.

Application filed January 27, 1926. Serial No. 84,219.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in crates, and particularly to folding crates.

One object of the invention is to improve the construction of crates which are used for packing and shipping fruits, whereby to prevent the usual bending and bulging of the top and bottom, and sides of the crate, due to the pressure of the contents.

Another object is to provide a crate of this character which is easily folded or set up, and which, when folded, will occupy a small amount of space, whereby to facilitate the packing or storing of the empty crates.

Another object is to provide a crate which is simple in construction, cheap to manufacture, and which will be strong and durable in use.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following descriptlon when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a crate made in accordance with the present invention,

partly broken away.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective View of the side and end walls of the crate in partly folded position.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the entire crate in folded condition.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

' Referring particularly to the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the crate includes the side walls 10, the end walls 11,

and the top and bottom walls 12 and 13.

Each of the side walls includes the top and bottom rails 14, to the inner faces of which are secured the upper and lower ends of the slats 15. The end walls each include the upper and lower rails 16, to which are secured the upper and lower ends of the slats 17 It will be noted, however, that the rails of the end walls are closer together than the rails of the side walls, and that the ends of the rails 14 overlap, or are disposed against the outer faces of the rails 16. Disposed removably through these overlapping ends of the rails 14 and 16, are the vertical pivot rods 18, any one of which is arranged to be 5.5 completely removed to permit folding of the surrounding walls of the crate, as clearly seen in Fig. 4. Secured to the inner faces of the lower ends of the slats 15, and extending throughout the entire lengths of the side walls, are the strips 19, on which the bottom 13 is adapted to rest. The bottom 13 comprises the longitudinal slats 20, and the end and intermediate transverse battens 21, the ends of such battens bearing on said strips 19. It will be particularly noted that the bottom is supported along its longer sides, thus obviating any tendency to bulge or sag downwardly. under the weight of the fruit in the crate. Ordinarily the bottoms of crates of this character are supported at their ends, thus permitting the weight of the contents to bend the bottom, and cause the same'to sag.

Disposed loosely through the intermediateportions of the upper rails 16 are the looped wire members 22. Disposed between the side walls and having the ends of its longitudinal slats 23 resting on the said rails 16, is 'the before-mentioned top 12. The ends of the intermediate slat 23 are arranged to he slipped through the loops 22, whereby to maintain the top in proper position on the crate.

l/Vhen the crate is to be folded for stora e or shipment, one of the rods 18 is remove%,

and the side and end walls of the crate swung,

in the manner shown in Figure 4, and finally disposed inthe position shown in Figure 5, after which the rod is restored so as to hold the parts together. The top and bottom are then placed on topof the folded walls, and any suitable binder secured therearound to hold the top and bottom in proper associa tion with the remainder of the crate.

It will be further noted that the bottom is supported out of contact with the ground. thereby keeping the said bottom dry, and permitting free circulation of air through the crate, and therebeneath, with the result that the contents will be maintained in a better condition.

What is claimed is:

A foldable crate comprising sides and ends, each of which consists of an upper and lower rail, the ends of the rails of the sides being disposed in overlapping relation to the outer face of the rails of the ends and pivotally connected together, vertical slats secured to the inner face of the rails of each side and end, sills extending parallel to the lower rails of the sides across the slats and secured thereto, a bottom adapted to be supported by said sills, U-shaped members having their legs slidably mounted through the top of the upper rails of each end, and a cover composed of longitudinal spaced slats connected together at a point remote from their ends, slidably disposed between the upper rails of the sides, the ends of the central slat of the cover being adapted to enter the U-shaped members, through longitudinal movement of 10 the cover.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

FRANK MORROGH. 

